What interesting/unusual things can we do for a weekend in Seattle? Looking for something outside of shopping and the typical tourist stuff.

Going to be in Seattle for a couple days with my friend and we were planning on doing some outdoorsy stuff, but realize it's dependant on the weather. What are some interesting indoors-type activities to do in the city? I have been there several times before, usually to go shopping/drink too much in Capitol Hill bars and am not really interested in doing more of that or typical tourist stuff like seeing the Space Needle/Pike Market-- more interested in seeing art, museums, local music, independent movie theatres, anything particularly weird/unusual/free. Are any of the art museums worth seeing? What about the Lake View cemetery? We'll be staying kinda out of the way but will have a car.

If you are from the east coast, go to a grocery store and check out the hilarious shape of the butter and the butter dishes.posted by bensherman at 1:38 PM on May 16, 2014 [1 favorite]

My friend used to live across from The Sit & Spin laundromat/eatery in Belltown. I spent a lot of time there during visits up there. It's a cool place to hang out for a bite, particularly if you have any garments that need cleaning. :)posted by phreckles at 1:48 PM on May 16, 2014

I would check out the neighborhood 15min south of Seattle called Georgetown. It has great local bars, kind of dive bars but in a super relaxed kind of way. If I were to visit again I'd hang out in their bars in a heartbeat. Bus goes right there. They also have a monthly Art Attack.posted by St. Peepsburg at 1:55 PM on May 16, 2014

Rent a kayak/canoe/rowboat from the Center for Wooden Boats and paddle around looking at all the houseboats on Lake Union.

Go to Volunteer Park, where you can visit the Seattle Asian Art Museum, wander through the thoroughly awesome Volunteer Park Conservatory, and climb up the Volunteer Park Water Tower.posted by HotToddy at 2:01 PM on May 16, 2014 [1 favorite]

I hate to break it to you phreckles, but Sit & Spin is long gone (like almost everything cool in Belltown).

Seattle Public Library's downtown building is fantastic and worth poking around.posted by under_petticoat_rule at 2:02 PM on May 16, 2014

There are a number of great craft distilleries in Seattle these days, most of which offer tours and/or tastings (this was the best list I found). Also, Theo Chocolates is one of very few facilities in North America that make chocolate starting with beans rather than couverture, and they have factory tours & tastings for a pretty small fee.posted by polymath at 3:12 PM on May 16, 2014

If you are overwhelmed by choices at SIFF, you can always see whatever is playing on the giant screen at Cinerama and enjoy some chocolate popcorn.

If you go to Georgetown, Hat 'n Boots is an excellent place for pictures.

If you end up in Ballard/Fremont, keep an eye out for the many henry murals. (They may be seen elsewhere but seem especially dense in those neighborhoods.)

If you do go to Theo, make reservations in advance--they can be busy on the weekends, especially Sundays due to the Fremont market.posted by esoterrica at 4:10 PM on May 16, 2014

Here are a few ideas for you:

If you want to explore Lake Union but don't feel up to paddling, you can rent an Electric Boat or (as soon as they open for the season) a Hot Tub Boat.

You mentioned Lakeview Cemetery--it's right next door to Volunteer Park (of the aforementioned Seattle Asian Art museum and very cool Conservatory). The cemetery is smallish, quite nice, and filled with lots of notable old Seattlites.

Bruce Lee's and his son Brandon's graves are probably the most famous, and relatively easy to find--they're always piled with flowers and candles and things people leave.posted by lovecrafty at 5:29 PM on May 16, 2014

The only museum I would recommend is Chihuly.
Some of the speakeasys are quite nice, I like Knee high Stocking Co a lot.SIFF would be great. Depending on the weekend you may be able to catch some cool movies. I know Clark Gregg will be in attendance for his movie next week.
Gas Works Park is really nice
Sundance Theatre in U District has a lot of cool movies
Raygun Lounge - Place you can play boardgames and drink some beersEscape the Room. This is a cool puzzle thing where you are locked in a room with some people and are trying to solve puzzles to get a key.

Food

Serious Pie - Definitely some of the best Pizza I have eaten

Poppy - I don't really know how to describe the restaurant but it is great and is very PNW

Spinasse - Butter and sage pasta. Greatest thing ever

Cafe Besalu - Best croissant I have ever eaten and this includes the ones I ate in Paris

Crumble and Flake - Best macarons I have ever eaten. I think I liked them more than the ones I had in Paris

- The Sound Garden at the NOAA Station in Sandpoint
- An homage to both Bruce Lee and Jimi Hendrix at their respective gravesites on Capitol Hill and in Renton.
- Stand under the Hammering Man at the SAM - if u dare! It has been known to fall over.
- Check out the Wing Luke Museum in Chinatown and find out about the WahMee massacreposted by vonstadler at 5:56 AM on May 17, 2014

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